Bicycle golf bag

ABSTRACT

A bifurcated golf bag assembly with attachments that can be carried securely on a two wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle. The golf bag assembly includes a first and second bag each containing a number of rimmed cylindrical tubes forming receptacles for receiving golf clubs, a series of semicircular plates with a number of holes similarly positioned in each of the plates to receive, separate and maintain the position of the cylindrical tubes in the bags. The bag portions are joined at the top by a plate comprised of two semicircular plates joined at the center by a hinge assembly to allow the bags to pivot away from each other to opposite sides of a bicycle rack. The bag assembly is supported on the bicycle rack by angled straps and secured by releasable fasteners that fasten the bag portions together when not in transport.

This application is a United States Non-Provisional application based upon and claiming the priority and filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 60/796,494, filed May 1, 2006. This invention relates to a golf bag assembly with attachments that splits so that it can be easily and safely transported on a two wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Golf bags are the conventional means for transporting golf clubs. Golf bags however cannot be easily transported on a bicycle since it is difficult to secure existing golf bags to the bicycle so that the golf bag does not interfere with the operator, the operation and/or mechanisms of the bicycle or objects on the route. The weight and size of the golf bag on the bicycle make the bicycle difficult to balance. There exist devices which enable golf bags to be attached to bicycles, an example being U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,003. A rod with brackets for receiving a golf bag is attached to one side of the bicycle resulting in the golf bag extending out from one side of the bicycle creating an unbalanced load and a possible obstruction to the objects on the route. Another device described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,041 utilizes two golf bags pivotally coupled so that the golf bag can be separated over a motorcycle for transport while supported and carried by the operator by means of straps attached to the bags which are hung on the operators back. Placing the golf bag weight in this fashion, high on the riders back, raises the center of gravity making it more difficult for the operator to balance on the wheels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a bifurcated golf bag assembly with attachments which allows the golf bag and its attachments to be easily secured to a bicycle and its rack. The golf bag assembly comprises a first and second bag portions of lightweight, durable material, such as nylon, and each bag includes rimmed cylindrical tubes, made of lightweight durable material such as plastic, for receiving golf clubs. The tubes pass through a series of preferably semicircular or oval plates with similarly positioned holes so as to maintain the position of the tubes in the bag and maintain a balanced and stable load during transport with a low center of gravity mounted on the bicycle not the operator. The top plates of the first and second bag portions are joined by means of a pivoting device such as a hinge which allow the bag portions to swing away from each other allowing the bag portions to be mounted on and extend along opposite sides of a bicycle rack. A webbed material or stray is affixed to the interior face of the first bag portion that would be adjacent to the bicycle rack and connects over to the interior face of the second bag portion forming a bridge over the bicycle rack to support the golf bag assembly. The straps are positioned on a bias to incline the bottom of the golf bag assembly away from the mechanical means of the bicycle so the golf bag does not interfere with the operation of the bicycle. Releasable fasteners, such as Velcro (hook and loop) tape, affixed to the exterior material of the first and second bags secure the bag to the front and back and/or sides of the bicycle rack during transport and also function to hold the bag portions together when the bag assembly is removed from the bicycle. Rods can be provided around the perimeter of the interior of the bag portions and also may be fixed in position by the semicircular plates to provide additional structure and support. Attachments to the golf bag assembly include but are not limited to a bag for shoes and various golf equipment such as golf balls and tees. A series of clips or fasteners extend from the top of the shoe/equipment bag. In transport the clips on the shoe/equipment bag engage the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners on straps over the handlebars of the bicycle. After transport, the shoe/equipment bag can be attached to the golf bag assembly by the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners, which extend from the top of the golf bag assembly.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

One object of the invention is to provide at least partially bifurcated golf bag assembly that can be easily and securely mounted on a bicycle.

Another object of this invention is to provide cylindrical tubes and plates to separate and maintain the position of the golf clubs in the bag and balance and stabilize the clubs during transport.

Another object of this invention is to provide for easy identification removal of the golf clubs from the bag accomplished by positioned cylindrical tubes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight golf bag that is stable and can stand in an upright position with additional supporting means.

Another object of this invention is to provide for a low center of gravity with the bag on the bicycle for stable, unbalanced and safe transport of bag and operator.

Another object of this invention is to provide for inclining the position of the golf bag away from the bicycle's mechanical movement means, such as pedals, while supported on the bicycle rack.

Another object of this invention is to provide attachments to the golf bag that are removable and that can be positioned on the handlebars of the bicycle to provide for further stability during transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the golf bag assembly positioned with the first and second bag portions on opposite sides of a bicycle rack and an accessories bag clipped to the handlebars by means of fasteners or clips for transport.

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the golf bag assembly secured to the rack of the bicycle rack by means of releasable fasteners and supported by a strap or straps.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cut away perspective view of the schematic interior of the golf bag assembly's means for receiving and positioning the golf clubs for stability and balance.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the top portion of the golf bag assembly showing the hinged plate for pivoting the bags.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the golf bag assembly with first and second bag portions held together by the releasable fasteners and the shoe/equipment bag attached to golf bag assembly after the golf bag assembly is removed from the bicycle and as would be used while playing golf.

FIG. 6 is another side elevational view of the golf bag assembly showing the biased straps for inclining the bottom of the golf bag away from the mechanical means and supporting the golf bag assembly on the bicycle rack.

FIG. 7 is an elevation view of a shoe/equipment bag secured to the handlebars of a bicycle by means of straps and fasteners or clips during transport.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown the golf bag assembly comprising of the first bag portion 2 and second bag portion 4 secured by means of releasable fasteners 10 to the front and rear of the bicycle rack 13 and by releasable fasteners 16 to the side of the bicycle rack 13 and supported on the bicycle rack by flexible webbed strap 34. The shoe/equipment bag 40, which is further described below in FIG. 7, is secured to the handlebars of the bicycle. Where the term “bicycle” is used in the application, that term includes bicycle, scooter, motorcycle and any other two wheeled vehicle with the wheels in line.

FIG. 3 there is shown the lightweight material providing the exterior covering 18 for a first and second bag portions 2,4. The cyclical tubes 20 receive the golf clubs 22. The tubes 20 are maintained in position by holes 24 in a series of semicircular plates 26 throughout the gag portions 2 and 4. The rims 28 on the top of the tubes 20 keep the tubes 20 from passing through tope plates 30 which are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The bag portion can be further stabilized by rods 38 at the interior perimeter of exterior covering 18 also positioned in the semicircular plates 26.

FIG. 4 there is shown two semicircular plates 30 interlocked at the center by a hinge 32 which allows the bag portions to be joined and to pivot away from each other.

FIG. 5 there is shown the golf bag assembly as it would be used in play with bag portions 2,4 joined together by fasteners 10 and 16 and the shoe/equipment bag 40 with attached clip end 42 inserted or fastened to receiving clip 44 affixed to the golf bag assembly bag portions 2 and/or 4.

FIG. 6 there is show the strap 34 affixed on bias 36 so as to incline the bottom of the golf bag away from the mechanical means (such as pedals, crank, chain, sprockets and/or motor) of the operation of the bicycle and support the golf bag on the bicycle rack.

FIG. 7 there is shown the shoe/equipment bag 40 with a series of inserting or fastening clips 42 attached to the shoe/equipment bag 40. When in transport the inserting or fastening clips 42 are attached to the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners 46 which are affixed to straps 48 which can be attached or loop over the handlebars 50 of the bicycle. Alternatively, the straps 48 may be attached to the shoe/equipment bag with the inserting or fastening clips 42 being affixed at one end of straps 48 and the receiving end of similar clips or fasteners 46 affixed at the opposite end. The straps would loop over the handlebars 50 of the bicycle and secure the shoe/equipment bag to the handlebars 50 when inserting or fastening clip 42 into receiving end of similar clips or fasteners 46.

The golf bag assembly can assume the configuration with the first and second bag portions joined together by the fasteners as shown in FIG. 5 for walking with the golf bag assembly, playing golf or storage. The golf bag assembly, or at least its lower end and middle, can be bifurcated by releasing the fasteners and assume the configuration with the first and second bag portions separated on opposite side of a bicycle rack with the fasteners now holding the bag to the bicycle rack.

While the preferred form of golf bag of the present invention has been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the golf bag could be other construction or materials and yet fall within the scope of the elements and steps of the following claims and their equivalents. For example, the plates described as semicircular could be square shaped with rounded corner, oval or elliptical shaped, etc. and the mechanical means indicated would include and drive means such as motors, transmissions, etc. 

1. A golf bag for golf clubs for transport by a bicycle, comprising at least a pair of bag portions, said bag portions being joined together at one of the ends, said bag portions being separable at their opposite ends, said bag portions being capable of carrying golf clubs, said bag positions have first positions adjacent each other for use on a golf course and second position wherein said opposite ends are separated to fit around the bicycle said golf bag including means for securing said golf bag to said bicycle during transport, whereby a golf bag may be transported by bicycle in its second position and then used on the golf course in said first position.
 2. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for holding said bag positions in said second position.
 3. A golf bag as in claim 2, wherein said means for holding and said means for securing are the same means.
 4. A golf bag as in claim 1, further comprising means on said bicycle for holding said golf bag, said means on said bicycle cooperating with said means for holding said golf bag.
 5. A golf bag as in claim 4, wherein said means on said bicycle comprises a bicycle rack.
 6. A golf bag as in claim 5, wherein said bicycle rack is a rear rack for mounting on said bicycle.
 7. A golf bag as in claim 2, wherein said means for holding comprises straps.
 8. A golf bag as in claim 7, wherein said strap comprises hook/loop fastener type straps.
 9. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for separating and evenly distributing weight of golf clubs in said golf bag.
 10. A bag as in claim 1, further including means for separating comprises hollow cylindrical tubes extending from said end to said opposite end of said golf bag held in place by means of plates or grids.
 11. A golf bag as in claim 10, wherein said plates or grids include similarly positioned holes, slots or spaces to receive said tubes.
 12. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for moving said bag portions into said second position.
 13. A golf bag as in claim 12, wherein said means for moving said bag portions includes a plate or grid joined by a pivoting means.
 14. A golf bag as in claim 13, wherein pivoting means comprises a hinge like device.
 15. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including means for holding and removing attachments to said bag portions.
 16. A golf bag as in claim 15, wherein said means for holding and removing attachments comprises straps and clips.
 17. A golf bag as in claim 1, further including an accessory equipment bag, said accessory equipment bag being adapted to attach to the handlebars of the bicycle during transport and to the golf bag during play.
 18. A golf bag as in claim 1, having a support strap, said support strap being attached to the lower part of said two bag portions and adapted to extend over and to be supported by the rear of the bicycle.
 19. A method of using and transporting by bicycle a golf bag having two portions, each holding clubs, comprising the step of separating the two portions of the golf bag, placing the golf bag and its two portions on opposite sides of the rear wheel of the bicycle, securing the golf bag and its two portions to the bicycle, transporting the golf bag on the bicycle to a place to play golf, removing the golf bag and two portions from the bicycle, assembling the two portions closely adjacent each other into an assembled position, securing the assembled two portions together, and using the golf bag to play golf.
 20. The method of claim 19, including the steps of providing an accessory equipment bag, securing the accessory equipment bag to a forward portion of the bicycle, transporting the accessory equipment bag on the bicycle to a place to play golf, assembling the accessory equipment bag to the golf bag, and securing the accessory equipment bag to the golf bag and using both to play golf. 